Progressive hobbyhorse



April 1942- I R. w. ANGERT 2,279,963

PROGRESSIVE HOBBYHORSE Filed July 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l g 5 INVENTOR. Richard WAngerr.

BY 'W 7 9 m I ATTORNEYS.

April 14, 1942. w ANGERT 2,279,963

PROGRESS IVE HOBBYHORSE Filed July 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Richard W Angerf.

A TTORNEYS.

6 2,4 YINVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 optics PROGRESSIVE HOBBYHORSE Richard W. Angert, Cincinnati, Ohio Application July 28, 1941, Serial No. 404,324

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a progressive hobby horse. It has to do, more particularly, with a toy hobby horse which is adapted to be moved forwardly when rocked by a child sitting thereon.

Hobby horses of the general type indicated have been provided in the past. These prior art v, hobby horses have usually been of a complicated structure and, therefore, too expensive to manufacture as a toy. Furthermore, they have usually been of such a structure that considerable effort is required to move them forward. Also, theyhave been of such a nature as to result in injury to a child using them, for example, by pinching fingers between moving parts. Another disadvantage of these prior art. hobby horses is that they have a tendency to tip during use which might cause injury to the child. Prior art hobby horses have also possessed other disadvantages.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a hobby horse which will be moved progressively in an efiicient manner with little effort by the child sitting thereon merely rock-. ing it.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hobby horse of the type indicated in the preceding paragraph which is of a very simple structure and can be made of inexpensive materials so that the unit can be manufactured as an inexpensive toy.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hobby horse of the type indicated whichis of a sturdy construction so that it will hold up under hard usage and which is substantially free of parts subject to excessive wear.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hobby horse of the type indicated which will not readily tip during use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hobby horse of the type indicated which is of such a nature that there will be little danger of injury to the child using it.

Various other objects will be apparent herein- I after.

In its preferred form my invention contemplates the provision of a hobby horse including a main body carried by suitable wheels. This body has a rocking member pivoted for rocking movement in a vertical plane and upon which the child is adapted to be seated. This rock-- ing member carries at its rear end a rearwardly and downwardly inclined tail or propelling mem ber which is pivoted thereto and which has a friction member contacting with the ground. By rocking the rocking member, the friction member on the propelling member is caused to contact with the ground at successive forwardly spaced points, thereby propelling the wheeled body portion along the ground.

The'preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar charactersv of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a hobby horse made'according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View, partly broken away, of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure .1 showing the pin for connecting the rocking member to the body portion. I

1 Figure 4 is a perspective viewof my hobby horse. 7

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure l and showing the steering means.

Figure 6 is a more or less diagrammatic view of my hobby horse showing the rocking member in forward position.

Figure 7 is a similar view but showing the rock'- ing member in its rear position.

With reference to the drawings, I have illustrated my hobby horse as comprising a main body portion I carried by wheels and a rocking member 2' carried by the body portion I.

The body portion l is composed of a pair of spaced vertically disposed longitudinally extending plates 3. These plates 3 are secured together and held in laterally spaced relationship by means of a bar 4 which extends longitudinally thereof. This bar 4 is disposed between the plates 3 adjacent the lower edges thereof and is bolted thereto by means of the bolts 5 which pass through, any of a plurality of sets of openings 6 in the members 3.- The bar 4 extends longitudinally substantially the full length of the members 3 and is in substantially horizontal position. The members 2, 3 and 4 may be made of wood or any other suitable cheap material.

Each of the members 3 has secured to its outer surface adjacent its rear end a bracket 1. This bracket is preferably bolted to member 3, as at 8, and extends downwardly and outwardly. As shown in Figure 2, the heads of the bolts 8 are countersunk on the inner surface of member 3, as indicated at 9, to prevent interference with member 2, as will be apparent hereinafter. The low- 4 er end of the bracket 1 is provided with an opening for receiving the reduced end In of an axle ten keys: 2 5 close the slots 1.9;

position by means of a washer l3 and a cotter key l4. The brackets 1 are preferably resilient so as to serve as springs.

At their forward ends, each of the members 3 has a forwardly and downwardly extending leg I 5 bolted thereto by means of bolts l6. 7 As shown in Figure 2, the heads of these bolts I6 are also within recesses, as indicated at H, to prevent interference with member 2. A brace l8 disposed in front of members 3 is connected to the two members 15 and to members 3, as indicated best: in Figure 4. Each of the legs I5 is provided with a horizontal slot I9 at'its lower end. These slots receive the ends of axle 20 which projectstherer:

through. This axle 20 carries a wheel 2| which The wheel 2| is disposed between the legs I5. is held in position on the axle 20, as shown in:

Figure 5, by means-of spaced collars 22 held in position by means of cotter keys 23. Each of the slots |9 hasdisposed therein on: opposite sides of the axle 20: compression springs; 24'which: oppose each other and' tendtoimaintain the axle 20 midway betweenythe-ends of: the slot 1.9; The extensions of the axle. 20 'serve as. foot rests for a: child on the hobby horse. Flat spring men bers 25 carried byaxle 20 at theeinner. and outer sidesof member liand-held in: positiombyicot The rocking member 2 is disposed between-:the

rear'end of member 2 will be raised pulling the rod 33 upwardly and forwardly and 'tausing member 36 to contact the ground at a point closer to the wheels [2. Then if the member 2 is rocked backwardly, as shown in Figurefl, the

7 member 36 will more firmly engage the ground and the wheeled body portion I will be forced forwardly. Steering of the hobby horse may be accomplished with the feet by pushing on the properextension of the axle 28 which will be permitted by the springs 24. .However, the

springs 24 will return the wheel2l to neutral position when the uneven pressure on the extensions 20 is released,

As previously indicated, I provide a plurality of sets of openings 5. Consequently, by positioning the bolts 5 in these different sets of openings the bar 4 may be adjusted to different vertical positions between members -3. This will vary theheight of member 2 and the seat 28 carried thereby. so that the hobby horse can beused-by children of diflere'nt sizes. r

' It will-'beapparent: from the above description thatI'have provided a hobby horse'having many advantages. The hobby horse can be moved forwardly with little effort. It will not readily: tip during= useand is of such a nature thatit wilifinotinjure a child using it. It is of a simple construction and can be manufactured at a'low spaced. members. 3. and. has its lower, edgeresting 4. However, if desired, the member 4 may-al'sba'be curved in aJreverse; direction relative ton edge 21 to produce a greater extent of rocking: The

member 2' is providedwith a seat .28 secured: to

the upper edge thereof with. a head portion.

29 having handholds. 3.0: carriedtherebyi. The

member 2 is secured: to: the body portion i .by'

means-of; a pin: 3 I11 which extendsilaterailyz thereto and which extends into arcuate. slots 32: formed on the interior ofrthe. members. 3. Thus, rocking of member 2 relative towmembers. ibis. permitt'ed. but relative.= longitudinal! movement. of member 2; andmemberser3. is: precluded.

. In order; to: move the: hobby. horse-forwardly fclaim is:

cost: but yet of a sturdy structure" andhas no parts subject to excessive wear.

Various. other advantages. will be apparent from the-preceding: description, thev drawings and the-following claims.

Having thusd'escribedi my invention, what I 1. A hobby horse of the type described comprisinga wheeled body portion, said wheeled-body portion comprising a pair of vertically disposed plates joined together adjacent theirlower ends by means of a bair-disposed'therebetween, a ro'cking member comprising a vertically disposed plate di'sposed'betweensaid pair of plates; said rocking member being connected to the pair of spaced; platesiby means-.01? an interfitting pin an'di arcuate siot' construction; said' rock-ing memher having a 'cur ved lower edge contacting with said bar, and:a propeliing member pivotally conupon rocking of member 2,11 provide the! tail of friction surface. 36; adapted to engagethe ground. The member 33 is. oh such length that when member: 2 is imnormal: position, the. member 36. will contact; with; the groundia considerable distance behind; the: wheels l2.

In using; this. hobby: horse a child will the horsenand; sit: on the; seat. 28 withchis feet resting on. the projecting portion: of the axle,

member 20; lf'the child rocks' -themember Z forwardly in the manneriillustrated inFigurei6gthe nected to the rear end of said rockingmember and V emending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said member-hav-ing a friction-portion on: itsdewer edge adaptedl to engage the ground.

'2.A hobby horse of' the type described comprising a wheeled body portion, said wheeled body portion comprising a pair ofi verticallydisposed platesjoined together adjacent their lower ends:by means: ofa; bar. disposed therebetween; said bar being adjustable todifferent vertical positionsbetween said'pair of plates, a rocking member comprising a'verticall y disposed plate disposed betwen said pair of; plates, said member having a curved lower edge-contacting with said bar, and 'apropelling member pivotally connected to the rear end of said rocking member and extending downwardlyl and rearwardly therefrom, said member having a friction per-tion on its lower end adaptedto' engagethe ground-L RICHARD W. ANGER I. 

